Siren's Elegy Volume 1: Orphans of Ashen Earth

Chapter 38: Bird Cage

September 19, 4021 09:30 [Matriarch 04- Sun Rock]

"Match one! Our first candidate is a Homunculus that can create illusory walls of defense and slip past even the most vigilant of eyes. Talk about elusive! It's Xiāoshī!! Our second candidate is a master of wind and flight! Please put your hands together for Kuvira!! Will her knowledge of the skies be enough to seize victory? Or will she be caught unaware by Xiāoshī? Let's find out! Candidates! Please make your way onto the pitch!"

The crowd cheered even louder, increasing the decibel meter on-screen by several levels. Two Crows came to lead the candidates down to the arena. Kuvira gave Indra and Garou a resolute nod and left with the Crows alongside Xiāoshī.

The announcer's booth overlooked the field below, giving Indra an ample view of the match about to unfold. After a minute or so of searching, Indra was able to make out four figures walking onto the field. Kuvira had changed into her DIVE Suit. She wore a winged headdress and a flowing coat of white with long flaps of fabric that caught the wind. They acted like sails to make up for her restricted flight capabilities. The notches on her arm served to draw in air and compress it inside a pressurized chamber from what Indra could remember Kuvira explaining to him regarding her Trait. She looked determined, though Indra had a lingering suspicion that her demeanor wasn't because of the match at hand. Kuvira's exchange with Prasanna had clearly fired her up, the nervousness she came into the arena with practically nonexistent now.

She steeled herself, bouncing lightly on her toes. Xiāoshī exhaled slowly, closing his eyes as he did so. The fighters stood patiently, mindful of one another, waiting for Grisha to give them the go-ahead. The crowd continued its attack on their eardrums, proving ineffective, however, as they closed themselves off to the rest of the world.

"Candidates, ready yourselves!!"

All the muscles in Kuvira's body tensed; Xiāoshī remained relaxed and fluid. Indra could tell just by looking at Kuvira's stance that she wanted to end the match quickly, eager to face Prasanna.

"Begin!!!"

Kuvira released a compressed gust of wind, propelling her across the field. Xiāoshī raised an arm, suddenly disappearing from view. In response, Kuvira aimed a pillar of air at the ground, rerouting her trajectory. As she traveled high above the invisible wall, she was able to scan the entirety of the field beneath her, spotting her opponent staring at her from behind his wall. He quickly shifted the defensive wall overhead to prevent her from bearing down on him.

"Looks like Xiāoshī's starting off the match with some defensive maneuvers! How will Kuvira get past his barriers?!" Grisha announced.

Kuvira scoffed, diving at full speed toward the invisible ceiling Xiāoshī had created. She released another gust of wind, spinning to propel herself in an arc. She rolled underneath the ceiling in mid-air, driving her heels into Xiāoshī's ribs. His tactic had proved ineffective.

Even with the DIVE Suit equipped, the impact had to have hurt, given Kuvira's speed. Xiāoshī would leave here with some major bruising, at the very least. He wore a shocked expression as he rolled over, clutching his side. The invisible barrier disappeared, a distorted shimmer appearing above him before it collapsed.

"Ooh! That's gotta hurt, ladies and gentlemen! Expert aerial maneuvering by Kuvira! How will Xiāoshī get out of this one?!"

Xiāoshī stumbled as he picked himself up, gritting his teeth. He spread his hands wide, bringing them together in a swift motion. Kuvira's reacted without hesitation, diving forward mere seconds before two invisible walls slammed together, a resounding echo coming from her previous position.

Indra wondered whether Kuvira truly would've been flattened or simply held in place. Xiāoshī didn't seem to have it in him to cause unnecessary harm, a subtle hesitation in his attacks. The others may not have picked up on it, but the Hyenas surely did. Grisha in particular wore a sour expression.